On February 17th HUB Skopje opened its doors to the entrepreneurial community of Macedonia. Over 100 people attended the event including: Mr. James Stein, USAID Mission Director; Ms. Katharina Stocker, Deputy Director of Cooperation, Swiss Embassy; Ms. Hanna Ruddies, Impact Hub Global, Growth Coordinator; Ms. Vesna Kardalevska, Project Manager, CEED Macedonia.
Hub Skopje is an innovative and inspirational working environment for early phase entrepreneurs and companies, free-lancers, and individuals who would like to start their own businesses. HUB Skopje builds ecosystems that will bridge journeys between companies at early-stage startup stages to mature ventures. They offer services such as mentorship, coaching, incubation, acceleration program, events, and networking. The hub is currently running an acceleration program consisting of 3 phases: the pre-acceleration phase, the mentoring phase, and the communication development phase. The whole cycle ends with a Demo Day. In this first group there are 10 start-ups and so far the feedback from the participants has been very positive.
The Hub provides: a working environment – desk, conference room, access to internet and meeting space; access to information; access to knowledge; access to potential partners, clients, and markets – through B2B and networking events; access to funding – by giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch to the CEED Business Angels Club; and support from professionals for innovative and creative thinking – advice from innovation specialists and business management consultants.
The HUB is sponsored by USAID’s Micro and Small Enterprises Project (MSEP) and co-funded by the Swiss Government. This sponsorship demonstrated the continued support the US and Switzerland continue to provide for micro and small companies including start-up companies and free-lancers, who through this activity, will be exposed to growth, development, knowledge, facilitated access to finance, and an inspiring working place.
